The environmental performance index was developed to protect public health, and to sustain and manage the ecological vitality that is a crucial factor in countries’ social and economic development. The increase in CO₂ emissions has been threatening environmental and human health. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of economic growth, energy consumption, energy management, the urban population, trade openness, and financial development on CO₂ emissions in the OECD countries that have a high ranking in the environmental performance index by utilizing the panel data analysis method for the years spanning 1990–2014. This assessment finds positive relationships between economic growth, energy consumption, and the urban population, and CO₂ emissions. Moreover, it is put forward that a negative and significant relationship between financial development and CO₂ emissions exists. Despite displaying a similar negative correlation, the relationship between trade openness and CO₂ emissions is insignificant. In the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test conducted, it was seen that a two-way causality is prevalent between energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. In addition, interrelations where CO₂ emissions cause trade openness, and the urban population is an explanatory variable of the former relationship, were discovered.

Congestion, car exhaust gases, permanent noise and risk of accidents are the most common and severe problems in conurbations, especially in their cores or commerce districts. Such problems basically result from the continuously increasing amount of private and business vehicles on streets. It is obvious that more cars moving on the streets indicate more environmental negative externalities, therefore, new solutions to combat them are not only needed, but absolutely necessary. The aim of this dissemination paper is to focus on the idea of the SmartFreight project which was introduced in the UE a few years ago, but still has been neglected by many city representatives or cargo delivery companies. The project deals with all the problems that appear inside city centres due to cargo trucks services or lorry door-to-door delivery. The authors of this paper posit the hypothesis that for the time being, the SmartFreight project is the best solution against congestion and environmentally harmful externalities in urban areas. To support the hypothesis and show the effectiveness and benefits of the SmartFreight project implementation, the authors discuss all assumptions of the SmartFreight project and analyse statistics, figures and survey data collected in the cities where the SmartFreight project has been launched

The article discusses issues related to the evolution of the concept of strategic management towards sustainable strategic management. In the literature, the idea of strategic management refers basically to the functioning of the organization and its activity in the economy. Currently, there is also an emphasis put on integrating environmental issues into the organization’s activities and taking care of the interests of the society, so the strategic management should combine economic aspects with ecological and social care in mind of future generations. A change of an approach from strategic management to sustainable strategic management assumes implementation of management strategies that will protect natural resources, reduce the harmful activity of enterprises on the environment and take care of current and future populations. Just as the business environment and the perception of environmental interests change, so the strategic management itself does, as a concept itself and as a guideline for the business’ functioning. Organizations following the idea of sustainable development, based on environmentally and socially friendly strategies, and aware of the consequences of their actions, here and now, are considered more productive and attractive, as well as stronger and more competitive. The evolution of general assumptions and approaches of strategic management changing within years towards the concept of sustainable strategic management enriched with the crucial environmental issues are discussed in this paper.

Purpose: This study examines how Polish family businesses adopt sustainable practices amid economic and political turbulence, assessing their balance between ecological responsibility and business resilience under regulatory and stakeholder pressures. Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on a quantitative survey of Polish family businesses. It employs a two-dimensional framework categorizing firms by environmental sensitivity, incorporating industry-specific ecological impacts and EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) regulations. Findings: The findings show 72% of firms have adopted green strategies and invested in renewable energy and recycling. Family businesses differed in their environmental management procedures, environmental operating practices and relations with stakeholders in the area of green transformation depending on the level of exposure to environmental pollution risk. Research limitations/implications: The study examines Polish family firms, limiting the generalizability of its findings. Future research could explore cross-country comparisons for a broader understanding of family firms' green transformations. Practical implications: The study offers insights for policymakers and business leaders, emphasizing tailored support for small- and medium-sized family enterprises in their green transition. Social implications: The study highlights family firms’ green practices and their potential to enhance societal sustainability, including decarbonization and environmental stewardship. Originality/value: This study offers a novel understanding of the heterogeneity of the implementation of ecological solutions by family businesses depending on a new two-dimensional variable describing a firm’s exposure to the risk of environmental degradation.

Nowadays, trade is shifting mainly to virtual reality. Increasingly more customers, using various types of mobile devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, look for products and services in online stores, counting on fast, convenient and efficient fulfilment of the order. In order to meet the customers’ requirements, trade enterprises may implement omnichannel strategy as a way to streamline the entire sales and distribution system of goods from the store to the customer, ensuring the possibility of continuous monitoring of the transaction. The paper examines the development of omnichannel strategy by the Polish small and medium enterprises. The underlying assumption of the paper is to identify to what extent the Polish companies concentrate on omnichannel strategy in the functioning of their business. The discussion is based on the results of the study obtained from the CAWI survey, CATI survey, and the in-depth interview conducted among the group of Polish MSMEs in Silesian Voivodeship.